PREGAME NOTES: Giants have an opponent, game time; Posey wins batting title

Here’s what we know: Matt Cain and Johnny Cueto will face off on Saturday at 6:37 p.m. at AT&T Park.

Here’s what we don’t know: A lot.

Manager Bruce Bochy will announce his Game 2 starter tomorrow, and it’s almost certainly going to be Madison Bumgarner, who pitched a one-hit shutout against the Reds in June. I would bet my dog that it’s going to be Bumgarner who is announced as the starter tomorrow. I don’t have a dog, but you know what I mean.

It sounds like the staff is still conflicted on a Game 3 starter, and the matchup will come into it. That’s a tough ballpark for any pitcher.
Bochy wouldn’t reveal his bullpen and is still trying to decide if they’ll go with 11 guys or 12. I would say George Kontos has the decided edge for the final spot after last night’s action.

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As for the bench, well, it’s going to get interesting. Eli Whiteside is still in the mix because Hector Sanchez may be more valuable as a pinch-hitter than any of the other options, and thus the Giants would want a third catcher in case they burn Sanchez for one at-bat. Aubrey Huff seemed like a lock a week ago, but Huff’s case isn’t helped by the fact that the Reds rely heavily on left-handed relievers. Still, he’s probably in.

The Giants also don’t know when Game 2, Game 3, etc. will be. MLB announced Saturday’s game, but Sunday’s game times are still up in the air.

— Buster Posey likely will get two at-bats and then take a seat. Same for the other starters. So Posey is the batting champ, and Bochy is thrilled.

“It’s incredible,” he said. “What he’s accomplished, for a catcher to win the batting title is impressive. To come off a devastating injury and to bounce back and not just have a good year but win a batting title is truly amazing. I couldn’t be happier for him. My hope is that he will win the MVP.”

Bochy revealed a nugget that shows exactly why Posey should be the MVP. That injury was so bad, and the recovery process so grueling, that Bochy thought Posey would only be able to play about 100-110 games this year.

Not behind the plate. 100-110 total.

Tonight is Posey’s 148th appearance of the season.

“He’s exceeded those expectations quite a bit,” Bochy said. “He toed the line every day. We thought we’d have to handle him with kid gloves but he’s just responded so well.”

— Bochy was asked about the Reds and I’ll write that up later for print and for this blog. At the end of it, he shook his head: “It’s hard to believe it came down to the last day,” he said.

It came to the last day for the A’s, too. They just did something absolutely, positively amazing: They swept the Rangers to win their division on the very last day.

The players weren’t watching the Nationals game this afternoon, even though that would decide their opponent. They were watching the A’s, and Bochy was, too.

channelclemente says: October 3rd, 2012 at 4:07 pm 99..CU,for Giant’s fans, IMO, the lesson is why can the Rivercats provide that support, and the Grizzlies not. We need to figure that one out.

CC, Its a trade off. A’s can’t fill the O but PacBell is full. Rivercats full/Grizzles not so much. Frezno may be a scosh hotter than Sactown.

Andres the Giant has purchased nice ducats for Sunday 8)

channelclemente

You know I was thinking of Zito (cringe) and his past in light of the fact he has a FB that hits 87 MPH now. When he did that in 2010 in the first half through June, he won 9 games.

http://www.thewisdomcow.blogspot.com The Wisdom Cow

Texas’ woes elate me. Hamilton’s error was the straw that broke them, making me wonder if they well seriously try to keep him. His D literally cost them the AL West in multiple games this against the A’s. I see LF in his near future.

He’s deadlier, to his own, than the rabidly ravenous purple haired tarantula of Papua New Guinea.

CltuchUp

Die Hard Giants Fan says: October 3rd, 2012 at 4:03 pm 1..I won the lottery to buy NLCS tickets. Game 1/2 are sold out. Game 6 and 7 Geez, better to watch at home. Can’t even scalp them. Too much risk for too little reward at the purchase price.

DHGF: Last 24-48 hours things got crazy with tix. We got our Upper VR via tickets.com last night and paid a 12 dollar per tix fee Plus a face value of $73. We are HIGH in the SKY but the field perspective is to my liking. I like to watch everything from there. Sat one time via Lexus field box company invite and it was the least enjoyable for watching plus zero people were watching the game. ATT is special but Candlestick fans actually watched the game albeit NOT in the restrooms as the emenities at the Bell are off the charts.

Cazart

Congratulations A’s!
Congratulations Buster Posey!
But most of all…

LOL DODGERS.

http://www.thewisdomcow.blogspot.com The Wisdom Cow

The success of the Rivercats is pretty obvious. They gain skill and insight by osmosis, being so close to the radiant, the magnificent, the all mighty and ever so humble, Wisdom Cow.

I demand that if Selig INC. grants San Jose to Lew, than the Giants must be given the Rivercats as compensation. If the A’s get to move South, they have to abandon East of the Bay.

South City Jim

Right on queue, St. Louis has their Triple A LU going tonight.

Matthew

This game will take 1 hour and 37 minutes….

South City Jim

You couldn’t pick a time to start a west coast game and make it harder on the hitters than 4:15 pm. It could be rough until the 5th or 6th inning.

http://www.thewisdomcow.blogspot.com The Wisdom Cow

Rough start time, even Elvis didn’t make it to his seat a few rows behind home plate until the bottom of the 2nd.

http://www.thewisdomcow.blogspot.com The Wisdom Cow

At first, I thought Doug Henning was at the game, but I’m pretty sure it’s Elvis.

Matthew

Has there ever been a dual perfecto?

Foothills Ryan

Go hog wild Bochy ! Start Zito in game 2 !

A matchup of dueling guitarists: Zito v Arroyo

—

Seriously though, I’d like Zito’s chances best in said home matchup.

http://www.thewisdomcow.blogspot.com The Wisdom Cow

Did anyone see ESPN today with Curt Schilling giving his version of knowledge?

My friends and I, back in the 80s, had a running gag whenever we watched the NBA on TNT that boiled down to Hubie Brown looking 3 days dead.

Curt Schilling looked 5 days dead on air today. Sometimes, HDTV is not a good thing.

Matthew

I think I might be spending an inordinate amount of time looking at that eye candy that just sat down behind the plate as compared to the on field (in)action.

Apologies to the fine Ladies O’ The Blog…

http://www.thewisdomcow.blogspot.com The Wisdom Cow

footy, I think there is a decent chance they start Zito at home. Both MadBum and Lincesong have marginally decreased odds on the road compared to Zito.

South City Jim

It wouldn’t surprise me at all not to see a basehit for either side until after 5:30 pm.

@Matthew 8) Shameful inability to think those thoughts w/out having to jot them down 8)

Must be our guy thing: Easy to ask for forgiveness rather than permission.

https://twitter.com/ Rumor Central

Vogey is up to 94 Mph? wow

South City Jim

TWC,

Good point. Zito has the least amount of disparity among the starters on his home/road splits so as much as I’d like to see him go against Arroyo, it makes sense for him to pitch on the road.

ClutchUp

It was .42 sec of the Norris’ solo blast

Croix de Candlestick

CltuchUp
October 3rd, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Sat one time via Lexus field box company invite and it was the least enjoyable for watching plus zero people were watching the game. ATT is special but Candlestick fans actually watched the game albeit NOT in the restrooms as the emenities at the Bell are off the charts.
———–
CU – we take the good with the bad. At ATT, they actively participate in Gangnam Style. That never would have flown at the ‘Stick. Heck, it was tough out there. Some even squashed little kids jumping over the left field bleachers to grab home run balls

https://twitter.com/ Rumor Central

Vogey wants in the PO rotation bad….

BREAKING NEWS

Ryan Vogelsong has allowed only one run over his last 15 innings, scattering 10 hits and 2 walks while striking out 13.

Matthew

Sorry, one last thing on the A’s announcers… Have you noticed when Glen gets excited , he has a bit of a Kermit the Frog thing going on in his voice?

….or is it a Boz Skaggs thing?

Matthew

True, true, Clutch…

This blog has brought my lack of an edit step to the fore….

South City Jim

I’m happy for Vogey and his declining ERA and I’ve said all along he deserves a postseason start, but I put little value in this game. Penny could throw no-hit ball under these conditions.

Die Hard Giants Fan

I’m torn. I went to the WS when they played the Angels. Game 6 & 7. I don’t mind paying. But this park, the VR are way too much for the NLCS. And for some reason the lower boxes were designed incorrectly. If you sit in the boxes past the dug out to the outfield you actually sit facing straight ahead. No angle to home plate. So you spend the entire game cranking your neck to see home plate and above the “giants” if someone tall sits in line of sight. I found that getting seats between 1st and 3rd was best. Anything down the lines you might as well forget.

https://twitter.com/ Rumor Central

@SCJ Kershaw can’t but Penny can? highly unlikely

Matthew

…plus, she left. Must have been bored after one half inning.

Scutaro is going to break Joe DiMaggio’s record on May 5th, 2013

South City Jim

Okay, I was stretching the truth a bit.

Croix de Candlestick

What changes did Vogie make to turn the ship around? Was it a matter of trusting Posey on pitch selection/location? Or a mechanical change? He always seemed to have good movement and velocity, though seemed way too enamored with the fastball when in trouble

Matthew

I think Posey is done for the day…why else did the normally stoic Bochy just hug him?

Matthew

Rumor, SCJ is right… penny has NOT given up a hit today

TheWillies

The River Cats are in the hunt every year for the AAA championship. Maybe all that playoff experience pays off?

“No Hit” Homer Bailey is a non-starter this series says D. Baker. A nice secondary present that is after no Strasberg. The path to the WS is open, if the Giants can survive MadBum and Lincecum starts.

I nominate Zito to start Game 3. A junkball pitcher could take some of the bat speed out of The homer-happy Redlegs.

https://twitter.com/ Rumor Central

Schulman tweets that posey is done.
I think Vogey has something special going tonight. I hope the change to Whiteside/Sanchez doesn’t mess up his rhythm

Croix de Candlestick says: October 3rd, 2012 at 4:58 pm 44..What changes did Vogie make to turn the ship around? Was it a matter of trusting Posey on pitch selection/location? Or a mechanical change? He always seemed to have good movement and velocity, though seemed way too enamored with the fastball when in trouble

CdC: I was watching you back in the day when you trampled that kid at the Stick retrieving the HR ball. Yep, any kind of foo foo head drink or JumboTron nonsense would have led to a dust up at the Stick. I can still see the ‘cat’ who wore “Leonard” jersey while governing any and all bad behavior in LF lower reserved-box area. He was a classic.

Regarding Vogey: CC and I think he was being stubborn with his fast ball preference with two strikes and again at 0 and 0. I also had noticed that Righetti has a keen way of fixing a pitchers “glove side action” which often times was allowing for some pitch tipping moments.

FreeShoe

Vogey + bullpen = No No today

https://twitter.com/ Rumor Central

Hey Freeshoe ever heard of a jinx?

Four Dot Lounge . . . .

Rumor Central, Breaking News, and Chill Out should form a law firm and represent Astrologer Andrea … after she sues Marty Lurie for stalking her.

https://twitter.com/ Rumor Central

Chill rumor news Firm?

Croix de Candlestick

Whoa, wait a minute. There was no evidence that I was the one who (accidentally) squashed a little kid in the homerun ball scrum beyond the chain link fence in left field

** except for the video on the KTVU 10 o’clock news. “Look at the big kid who squashes the little kid”

Anti-Lasorda

Vogey to start Game 3?

Croix de Candlestick

I love the pace of this game.

Croix de Candlestick

Do you think he’s sleeping, or dead?

https://twitter.com/ Rumor Central

Croix don’t get Anti-Lasorda excited….

dgg

from Alex tweet:

Pagan finishes season with .288 average, 95 runs, 29 stolen bases. Led MLB and set Giants record with 15 triples.

ClutchUp

CdC:

Dennis Richmond and Mark Ibanez were using their telestrator to circle the “perps” outline and then they blew it up 8) and there were fliers all over THE City offering an identity reward.

Section 129

If Giants don’t start Lincecum in game 3, he will not sign here for 014. That will have more impact than who is the best pitcher for that game. I don’t think management has the balls to cross Tim. Both Zito and Vogelsong would be better but that is the business of baseball

channelclemente

CU,

can you tell that 2 seam changeup from the circle change, I can’t….yet.

https://twitter.com/ Rumor Central

I blame free shoe.

Matthew

Vogey giving the young catcher a piece of his tightly wound mind….

channelclemente

Lopes at 1B, is stealing the signs. That’s what Sanchez was signaling, I think.

Matthew

Methinks we won’t have to worry about Vogey demanding Sanchez to be his personal catcher…

channelclemente

Sandoval does a ‘Krueger’.

Boxergar

Fat Pedro must swing with his eyes closed. That pitch was 2 feet in front of the plate

This won’t make ‘certain’ fans happy but the Giants don’t Usually make decisions based on several bad or several good outings. Cain, Zito were lights out recently and Vogey threw the crud (94) out of the ball tonight whereas Lincecum had a poor outing. The Giants do things their own way 24/7/365.

Tweaks to the above could be:
• Kontos in and Mota Out
• Mota and Kontos both in and No Mystery Player
• Huff out and Whiteside in

• Several items in style of play would have to change for the Tweaks to happen: Nady would play more as Blanco would be the Difference-maker off the bench IE Runner-Pinch Hitter-Defensive Replacement. Whiteside would free Hector up to be the Big Pinch hitter off the bench.

IMHO:
• Huff is a lock as a Lefthanded Pinch Hitter.
• Peguero or Burriss make it
• Vogelsong is going to make the RHanded Swing Pitcher
• Lincecum will pitch game 3 or 4 with outside chance at game 2
• Mota and/or Kontos might be the toughest call
• Zito might have to wait and wait for his role

wan8iv

OMG!!!! Are the Giants ever going to be able to get opposing pitchers out in clutch situations????

ClutchUp

channelclemente says: October 3rd, 2012 at 5:31 pm 64..CU,can you tell that 2 seam changeup from the circle change, I can’t….yet.

CC, I think with the former Circle change his thumb/index finger together was much too easy to pick off from the first base coaches box. This is Lopes’s 10,000 rodeo and Lopes learned from Wills.

Vogey gets his W – if he can control opposing Pitchers getting hits off of him.

Matthew

Clutch, Mota and Kontos is a tough call why? And for who?

Yikes.

Kontos IN, Mota to the Seniors Tour

ClutchUp

It’s difficult to explain …. Sabean-Tidrow-Bochy-Righetti-Gardy treasure post season experience not a game 161 strike out of Matt Kemp.

Put it this way – I hope you’re correct but Just sayin…

South City Jim

The fact that Vogey’s out in less than 75 pitches essentially answers any questions for round 1; Zito’s in the pen. They’ll annnounce it tomorrow, but you’ll probably see:

Cain
MadBum
Vogey/Lincecum
Vogey/Lincecum

Not sure of order for game 3 and 4 starters. Zito will be the swing guy in case someone implodes.

South City Jim

Will Clay Hensley ever pitch a scoreless inning ever again?

http://www.thewisdomcow.blogspot.com The Wisdom Cow

Croix, the statute of limitations has run, admit it all you want, you can even brag about that wicked elbow to the little guy’s head you threw on purpose, even though you already had the advantage.

Clay Hensley equals a gas can to a flame…..I can’t believe they keep running him out there – belt high
Give me Kontos or give me D….well, don’t give me Mota anyway

South City Jim

Clutch, I think Henlsey gave up the one that tied Aaron…756? You’re correct, it went out to left center.

Matthew

…and the Nada on Nady as well as the Mota debate are reasons why I bow at the altar of the Wisdom Cow at times…….

stickman

Another sound, solid outing by Kontos. If this was Bochy’s final exam for the Post-Season young George may well have passed. Not so likely with Hensley.

South City Jim

The frustrating thing about the 11 / 12 pitcher debate is tht the additional position player/pinch runner is either Peguero, Christian or Burris. Dang, the year we needed Darren Ford he’s no longer here.

mitchvman

Vogelsong is your 4th Starter in the post-season…as it should be!

All of those who wanted Zito is drinking the Kool-Aid. Yes, he had a good season FOR a 5th starter. However, you lety him loose in the playoffs for a start and he absolutely get crushed! Heck you put him in the Little league Worls Series against Peteluma and he will get crushed!

South City Jim

Mitch,

I don’t disagree with Zito in the pen but Zito had a good season for a third starter, a great season for a 5th starter.

Obrother

I think Timmy’s lose of speed on his fast ball might be overrated if we look at Zzeets fast ball topping out at 87MPH in 2nd half. COMMAND. Maybe Timmy should take a lesson from Zeets and throw his fast ball with better command. Also Zerts has a wicked curveball.

Giants1021

Castellanos hits it out??/ Ohh, Machi….
maybe we should have just forfeited this one. Jeez…..

South City Jim

Machi’s 1% chance just became 0%.

Giants1021

and if Hensley makes the roster or the tem next year I will refuse to eat my cauliflower

ClutchUp

Mitchvman you have it bad via Zeetoo. The Petaluma reference damages your cred. He won 15 games..

ClutchUp

The Bullet Edsel Ford might be out of baseball if not now, soon. Wasn’t th OF that Peguero or Christian is + plus his arm was suspect but yea what a blurr!

South City Jim

I was half joking. If they keep a position player, I’d go with Peguero. Something about that guy I like. Good vibes.

Giants1021

is it too late to DFA MAchi as well….?

South City Jim

Well, not a great tune up for Nady, but maybe he got a few bad ABs out of his system. With all the RHP starters of Cinci, Nady might be more useful as a PH in the NLDS anyway.

The Oracle

Starting Lincecum makes even less sense now.

South City Jim

It’s possible they limited Vogey’s pitch count so he could throw an inning on Sunday, but I somehow doubt it. I think he’s in the rotation and he deserves it. He started off with 21 great starts, had seven horrible ones, and finished with three great ones. The main thing is the first two games here. Don’t screw around. Cain and MadBum. As someone said here yesterday “Bummy and Cain and pray for rain.”

Also I’m as big a Timmy fan as most on the blog but I really think it should be Cain, MadBum, Zeets and Vogey with Timmy being ready to relieve any of them should they implode. I know Bochy said Timmy will start which seems to me the Giants brass is afraid Timmy will walk if he doesn’t start or so a poster said it an earlier post. It just make sense to use your number 5 pitcher in the 3 or 4 spot. I just think you should be rewarded for your play. This is the post season. Yea Timmy came up huge in 2010, winning all 5 of his post season starts so maybe that’s what the Giants are betting on. I really think Timmy screwed himself this year with a bad preseason work ethic, losing a ton of weight and just playing bad ball. Zeets and Vogey have stepped up especially last 2 weeks. Not an A’s fan but I’m starting to think they have mojo going into post season. Amazib

- Maybe to us fans but the Giants have a Organizational Matrix that seems to value the past and the present as to what they can do in the future.

- I am not saying that we wouldn’t do it differently but Tim’s past and this years 10 wins must mean something to his two pitching coach’s, Sabean, Bochy and his teammates. Trying to quantify his past two Cy Youngs plus his involvement in the 2010 WS seems to not make a dent in us as fans but those contributions seem to be mattering the most to those in charge of making decisions. Making sense or not making sense to us must not be included in which way they wish to proceed.

I think from a purely baseball standpoint I would like to have seen the Giants not slam the door on Melky. By far the most productive player in left field this season, maybe even on the whole team it would have been nice to be able to acquire his bat, glove and fastball in post season when his suspension ends. Don’t take me wrong but I think he did the crime and paid the price so I wouldn’t have had a problem with his return unless his teammates disn’t want him back. Teams don’t get into post season often and you have to put the best team on the field

Foothills Ryan

South City Jim says:
October 3rd, 2012 at 6:48 pm

I was half joking. If they keep a position player, I’d go with Peguero. Something about that guy I like. Good vibes.

—-

I’m liking that Peguero is doing things that make fans take notice. He may have only had 3 hits in 16 ABs, but you saw some tools on display. Good to have talent like him in the system. You never know what will happen. No one really expected Brandon Crawford to do much with the bat, but a slash line of .249/.304/.350 in his first full year is very respectable. Sometimes players come up quickly and develop into nice major leaguers in front of your eyes. We’ve been fortunate to get to watch both Brandons and Hectory Sanchez have very solid years. Maybe Peguero will be a similar story next year.

Good vibes indeed.

ClutchUp

TWC: Sum up the debate for at least me, did not watch. Thanks!

Also I asked again the “name who should remain nameless” again about the other Cabrera, Melky after he also re-read the PDF testing document and my original question of could Melk really have been tested during KC 2011 or during ST of 2012 – and have had that test be the one which got him popped? And I got the same response yes most likely he was probably suspended as a result of last year or spring training because they have to be very careful about verification, so it doesn’t happen overnight.

Counselor it doesn’t seem to make sense. All players should be bounced for their most recent digressions but the above nonsense still remains out their within the established media.

Foothills Ryan

ClutchUp says:
October 3rd, 2012 at 7:52 pm

+++

That was a very good explanation. I like that you dropped “matrix” in there. Different mindsets for sure. I’m all for rolling Zito out in game two. I must be in a crazy mindset.

https://twitter.com/ Rumor Central

The last thing we need on here is a political debate about the debates…. DEBATECEPTION

Foothills Ryan

I had a secret batting race between Joaquin Arias, Brandon Belt and Hector Sanchez.

Hector Sanchez won ! He finished the season at .280, Belt at .275 and Arias at .270. All very respectable major league averages.

You got to be very pleased with Belt’s .275, especially where he started from and where he finished. An 118 RC+ is “18 % above league average” run production. He finished with 1.7 WAR. By comparison, Brandon Crawford finished at 1.9. Yes, his defense was that good. But great overall 2nd year in the Big’s. Better to come. Especially the power numbers.

ClutchUp

Hats off to the Swingin’ A’s.

Sports Center led with All Yankees and Baltimore

Two minutes spent on Oakland A’s.

Foothills Ryan

Nothing to really draw from the debates. Depends on your angle. Romney certainly held his own and looked good enough to be up there on the podium. Probably won’t be a run away election, but you never know. Like a good pennant race, through October and on into October for the World Championship of Politics.

My “cred” is perfectly in tact. The point was that Zito would not be able to beat the Petaluma little league team. Yes, he won 15 games and had a good season as I said. However, it seems that you have also partook in this Kool-Aid.

He has been on the edge in many of these games and his career over the last 6 years has been abysmal. In the playoffs with “large” offenses. He will get rocked!

This a business decision not an emotional one as you are making. If the mistake is made that he starts (especially after Vogey’s strong start) it will be a playoff loss!

It’s not in order of who is the best pitcher, nor should it be. It should be in order of what’s best for the team.

Cain give them the best chance to win in Cincinnati. Zito and Bumgarner can do well at our home park.

ClutchUp

Your cred would have been okay without the Petaluma reference. So “like” the bnest college football team of all time could have beaten the worst ever NFL team? Anyhoo I’m not drinking the koolaide that you’re stirring either but what you’re saying is you know more than the decision makers running the club? Think about what you’re saying? Where is the credibility in your Petaluma salvo?

ClutchUp

Surf good,points but would they then have had to plan for that this last week and tweak the rotation? Doubtful they can cobble that together at this late date…

Lefty

mitchvman: I love your posts and usually agree with you, but I have to make a counterargument on Zito.

He deserves a playoff start because of the way he finished. He had some rough outings earlier in the season, but his last really bad outing was Aug. 29 in Houston, when he was lifted in the third inning. On Sept. 3, he went 5 innings in Arizona and gave up four runs. His final five starts after that were stellar.

He also stepped up repeatedly in big game situations: the first win of the year in Colorado. A big win in St. Louis. Two masterful wins against the Braves. THREE wins against the Dodgers.

He’s always been a terrific front-runner, and this season, the Giants finally got him some runs. More importantly, though, his mindset and confidence seem dramatically different.

While his record in Cincinnati does scare me, right now I have more confidence in Zito than in Lincecum with his erratic command, his walks, his gopher balls, and his deer-in-the-headlights demeanor. I don’t mean to be unkind. I am a huge fan and will always value what he has done as a Giant. I hope it’s not over and that he finds himself again in 2013 and stays long-term. But now is now.

The Giants didn’t let past reputation and record govern their decisions in 2010 when they left Zito off the roster. They did it because he was the fifth best pitcher in a strong rotation. The situation with Lincecum is the same this year as it was with Zito in 2010–except that Lincecum had a WORSE year.

And I haven’t even started on Vogelsong.

SurfCity

Clutch, please read it carefully:

“This is how I would have set up the order”

Foothills Ryan

Cain in game 3 is certainly against the grain, out of the box, unconventional.

Is it wrong?

Perhaps. Limit your Ace to one start in a series. Take him out of the park that negates some of the matchup problems with Votto & Bruce.

I’d take Zito on normal rest as hot and lucky as he’s been up against Arroyo at home in game 2. Put Bumgarner up against Latos in the GAP opener. Then gotta go with Lincecum in game 4 versus Bailey. Of course this thing is going 5. Vogelsong on back up duty as Zito and Lincecum will have early hooks. Like 5 and dive hooks.

I think Vogelsong will ultimately get the “short end of the stick” but he’ll take it like a pro and do what he can to help the team. It’s politics. It’s unavoidable. You’ve got a guy making 22 million next year with 2 Cy Youngs…

Lefty

You have to go with Cain because he’s their best pitcher and you NEED to win Game 1. You also want him able to come back in Game 5 if necessary.

Then it has to be MadBum because he pitches so much better at home and was brilliant against the Reds at AT & T this year.

I’d go Vogelsong in Game 3 and probably Zito in Game 4 unless they’re down 1-2, in which case I’d consider bringing Cain back on short rest.

Timmy’s in the pen. I don’t buy “he has to start because he might not be effective out of the bullpen.” He also “might not be effective” STARTING–and that’s an even bigger problem.

You have to go with how they’re pitching RIGHT NOW–not last year, not July. Right now, the best pitchers, in this order, are Cain, Zito, Vogelsong, Bumgarner, and then Timmy.

I know it probably ISN’T going to turn out that way, and Timmy DID have some good starts in the second half, so I’m crossing my fingers and wishing for the best.

ClutchUp

I was aware of THAT, and had They have taken Your advice rotation changes leading up to Sat would have been needed….

Larry Baer

ClutchUp, Get rid of the avatar,or go find an A’s blog to ingratiate yourself there

SurfCity

Lefty as I recall, Timmy did fine out the bullpen in the 2010 postseason. Didn’t he finish a game for Sanchez?

ClutchUp

Dear Larry as Dana Carvey said not gonna do it. The avatar was posey all day. Tonight belongs to Bob Melvin Chili Davis and the A’s and I’m not even an A’s fan 8)

SurfCity

Clutch – ARGH, you are quite frustrating at times. I did not say they should do that now – they can’t. I said this is what I WOULD HAVE DONE.

Sometimes I think you just like to hear yourself talk – but I don’t think you need to mindlessly respond to every single comment on the blog – it gets very annoying.

Lefty

Surf: Timmy pitched to three batters in the 8th inning of the final game against the Phillies. He struck out Jayson Werth and then gave up hits to the next two guys (Victorino & Ibanez). Wilson came in and got a really lucky liner into a DP. Then Wilson tortured us through the final three outs in the 9th.

Timmy had started only two days earlier, so it wasn’t surprising he didn’t have much to give beyond the strikeout of Werth. It also (in hindsight) shows how little faith Bochy had in his other four righties in the pen (Romo, Casilla, Ramirez, and Mota). He’d already used all the lefties (including MadBum) when Sanchez melted down in the third inning.

Sheesh, I remember every detail of that game like it was yesterday.

ClutchUp

Timmy started the 8th inning vs. Philly. Struck out Werth and gave up back to back rope singles. Wilson came in and Ruiz hit a liner.to Huff who threw to Renteria for the DP. Timmy was hit hard via those two singles one to rf and one to lf.

ding ding ding…

“Clutch – ARGH, you are quite frustrating at times. …

…Sometimes I think you just like to hear yourself talk – but I don’t think you need to mindlessly respond to every single comment on the blog – it gets very annoying.”

ClutchUp

If you think I’m mindlessly responding to you that’s your opinion but politically speaking I got the point of your post from day one.

mitchvman

Clutch 123.

My reference to Petaluma was an attempt at levity. Not to mention an attempt to grab everyone by the legs and lower them back to the ground when they think of Zito starting a playoff game. I’m not sure what the offense would be to you. However, Petaluma could still hit Zito!

No, I never said I know more than the decision makers on the team. I said (intimated) that Vogelsong starting, is their decision. I simply agreed with their assessment!

We tend to romanticize about are players. Especially a good soldier like Zito. Yet, we forget who the Player is! Regardless of record and yes, he had a good year. He still was in trouble a lot in almost every start. Including Mondays.

Now it is the playoffs and legitimate offenses! He is not the man for the job, simply! Management knows this and everyone else should too! His reward is being on the roster because truthfully, he should be left off again for a much needed bullpen arm. A job he simply can’t do!

mitchvman

Lefty 125.

You are not wrong, Zito had a good year. Yet mired in every start was those moments of it going either way. Including Mondays. Yes, he got out of them a lot. However, the playoffs is a different beast. He throws 85 mph and if his curve isn’t perfect? Smack it gets hit!

As I have said, I think we are pulling for the guy because he did have a good year. Now, though, we want another championship. Vogelsong is the better pitcher and anyone that really thinks Lincecum shouldn’t start is just plain silly.

In a short series you cannot afford those mistakes. Truthfully, I think management is thinking of a 3 man rotation depending how the first 2 games go. They may not even announce a game 4 starter till Monday or Tuesday.